Public Policy Priorities

Safe affordable rental apartments are critical to alleviating poverty, improving health outcomes, meeting workforce needs, supporting veterans, and helping seniors to age in grace. As part of our dedication to serving those in need, Mercy Housing advocates for issues affecting our organization and the residents within our communities.

Support Equitable COVID Relief

Fair and equitable access to vaccinations, PPE, and rent relief for vulnerable individuals and communities of color, is essential for the country’s long-term recovery.

• Focus vaccine distribution and access in low-income communities and communities of color
• Direct immediate and equitable emergency rental relief to affordable housing property owners and renters
• Preserve the housing stability of families at risk of eviction or foreclosure

Advocate For More Racially Equitable, Diverse, and Inclusive Housing

To end systemic racism and housing segregation, legislation and operational reinforcements are needed to support renters and rental housing providers.

• Work toward ending systemic racism in housing and increase wealth-building opportunities by supporting and growing the nation’s supply of affordable housing
• Reinstate the 2015 AFFH Regulation
• Advocate for investment in communities of color to expand affordable housing

Increase HUD and USDA Rural Development Funding

These programs support millions of low-income families and we seek an increase in funding for multifamily affordable housing and community development programs.

• Expand and preserve existing, subsidized housing portfolio — project-based Section 8 Rental Assistance, Section 202, HUD-VASH, RAD, McKinney Vento Homeless Assistance grants and USDA Rental Assistance
• Expand affordable housing opportunities through new construction and historic preservation programs such as CDBG, HOME, Choice Neighborhoods, and the National Housing Trust Fund
• Expand funding for the Housing Choice Voucher program
• Expand Family Self-Sufficiency program to all HUD subsidized programs

Champion the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)

LIHTC has been a foundation for the nation’s affordable housing for nearly four decades – annually financing over 3 million affordable homes and creating and sustaining 140,000 jobs, while spurring millions of dollars in increased community income and tax revenues.

• Advocate to preserve and enhance the national Low Income Housing Tax credit.
• Advocate for Private Activity Bonds and Historic Tax Credits.

Pioneer Affordable Housing as a Platform For Improved Health

Combining healthcare partnerships with preventative health and wellness programming, reduces hospital visits, increases longevity, and improves quality of life. Housing-healthcare models keep communities stronger and more resilient.

• Support our healthcare partners’ advocacy efforts to continue robust funding for Medicare and Medicaid
• Capitalize on our long history of partnerships with healthcare providers to deliver service-enriched programming, which is proving to improve the health outcomes of residents with low incomes
• Continue creating Community Health Facilities through Mercy Community Capital to ensure that community-based care is accessible to all
• Improve Federal Support For Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)

We advocate for more resources, participation and access, and improvements to CDFIs by partnering with CDFI Coalition and Opportunity Finance Network (OFN).

• Protect and expand funding for the CDFI program
• Support funding for the Capital Magnet Fund
• Partner with OFN during appropriations collective advocacy efforts
• Permanently expand New Markets Tax Credit program
• Bridge The Digital Divide For Renters With Low Incomes

Mercy Housing advocates, supports, and pilots programs that increases digital connectivity for residents of affordable housing with low incomes. Access to wifi and devices is essential for education, work, and attaining eligible benefits, and we encourage lawmakers to make these vital resources more available to people living with low and extremely low incomes.

• Increase access to broadband support at communities while maintaining affordability, equity, and reliability